NFL Free Agency: After Signing Bob Sanders, What's Next for the Chargers?

This week, the San Diego Chargers signed former Colts star safety Bob Sanders to a one-year deal.

Sanders missed the entire season after tearing his biceps in the first game of 2010. He has only played 48 NFL games at the age of 30, and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. He adds to a San Diego defense that finished first in the NFL last season, so signing a safety is probably the least of the Chargers' concerns right now.

Wide Receivers

The explosive San Diego offense was put on display for most of 2010, but the Chargers missed the playoffs. Now, the receiving corps is in jeopardy. Star wideouts Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd are both free agents and with no collective bargaining agreement in place, long-term deals appear unlikely.

Vincent Jackson was suspended for much of the 2010 season after a contract dispute and his future with the team still looks dim. As for Floyd, he had a tremendous first half in 2010, but faced injuries the rest of the way.

There is a question to be asked, though. Can San Diego's offense remain powerful if neither Floyd nor Jackson re-sign with the team? Quarterback Phillip Rivers is near elite status and Antonio Gates is arguably the best tight end in the NFL despite his nagging foot injuries. 

It's unlikely that San Diego can dominate offensively without the two receivers, because the running game is already atrocious. Rookie Ryan Mathews was a huge disappointment in 2010 and Mike Tolbert played well, but is still listed as a fullback. Tolbert is a free agent.

Who can the Chargers get to replace either Floyd or Jackson?

There's Sidney Rice, who's coming off a major hip injury in 2010. Rice has great talent and would work well with Phillip Rivers' great arm, evidenced by Rice's great 2009 season with Brett Favre in Minnesota.

The Jets have yet to re-sign "Mr. Clutch" Santonio Holmes, and he'd surely be a devastating assignment for opposing secondaries to cover in 2011. Holmes single-handedly won at least five games (including the playoffs) for the Jets in 2010.

Then, there's the ever-curious case of Plaxico Burress. He's now into his mid-30s, which is the shorter end of the stick for wide receivers. Burress has not played football since 2008 and has yet to be reinstated into the NFL.

Running Game

Rookie Ryan Mathews didn't live up to the hype in 2010 and the Chargers' running game was not very strong. Mike Tolbert is now a free agent, but he received an offer from the team on Thursday.

It's hard to believe that San Diego finished first in total offense in 2010 and 15th on the ground. If this team was a dominant figure in the backfield, they'd be very hard to stop. Of course, Mathews will see an increased workload in 2011, but maybe Norv Turner should consider bringing in another running back.

Speed back Darren Sproles is also a free agent, but maybe the Chargers will consider D'Angelo Williams to replace him. Williams was hurt in 2010 and ineffective when he did play, but he's still very young. Williams will still be expensive to sign, so it depends on if the Chargers are confident in Ryan Mathews.

Eric Weddle

San Diego placed a first-round tender on Eric Weddle this week. The 26-year-old safety made 96 tackles and had two interceptions in 2010, playing a key role in the success of the defensive secondary.

Maybe the uncertainty of Weddle re-signing is the reason Bob Sanders was brought in, but San Diego should do what they can to keep him. Despite finishing 9-7 in 2010, the Chargers have a great young core on defense and they are expected to bounce back in 2011.